- Tolu Arokodare has scored 14 goals in 23 matches for KRC Genk this season, leading Nigerian players in the top European leagues
- Arokodare has expressed excitement about playing alongside stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman and currently leads Nigerian scorers in Europe
- Despite facing boos and racism earlier in his career, Arokodare has bounced back with remarkable performances, earning admiration across football circles
Tolu Arokodare, a 24-year-old Nigerian striker plying his trade with KRC Genk in Belgium, has set his sights on donning the green and white jersey of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
The prolific forward, in red-hot form this season, dreams of joining forces with Nigerian stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman in the national team setup. Arokodare’s impressive run has seen him net 13 goals in 20 league matches and 14 in all competitions.
His latest heroics include a brace against Royal Antwerp, proving his attacking prowess and staking a claim for a Super Eagles call-up. He currently leads Nigerian players in top-flight European leagues, outshining Osimhen of Napoli, who has 10 goals, and Lookman of Atalanta, with nine.
Despite his stellar performances, Arokodare revealed that he has yet to be contacted by the Nigeria Football Federation. However, the forward remains optimistic, believing his hard work will eventually earn him a spot in the national team,
“I can’t wait to play with Osimhen and Lookman,” he said, adding that the friendship among Super Eagles players is something he admires and hopes to be a part of.
Beyond his on-field achievements, Arokodare’s journey has been anything but smooth. Reflecting on a turbulent period at Genk, he recounted being booed by fans and receiving hostile messages,
“To hear something like that from your own supporters hurts,” he said. Despite the criticism, Arokodare chose resilience, using the negativity as motivation to prove his worth.
The striker also opened up about his experiences with racism and the importance of respect in football and society,
“It’s not just football that suffers from a lack of humanity; society does too,” he remarked, recalling the support he received after incidents of racism and a health scare.
Arokodare’s ability to rise above adversity has earned him admiration, including praise from Osimhen for his standout performances this season. After scoring 15 goals last season, the striker is determined to surpass that tally and continue his remarkable form.
As Genk prepare to face Oud-Heverlee Leuven on Saturday, January 11, Arokodare is focused on helping his team maintain their top position in the Belgian league.
“I rushed to meet his dad,” Ex-NFF boss Pinnick reflects on convincing Lookman to join Super Eagles
Previously, TheRadar reported that Amaju Pinnick, former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has revealed the extensive efforts that culminated in Ademola Lookman’s first competitive appearance for the Super Eagles in March 2022.
The revelation comes after Lookman was crowned African Footballer of the Year on Monday, December 16 in Morocco, a milestone Pinnick regards as validation of the groundwork laid during his tenure.
